“It’s so hard to compare these two guys”
Ryan Papenhuyzen has said it is “disrespectful” to suggest he is a chance of stealing the fullback jumper off Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues captain James Tedesco but True Blue Luke Lewis believes both players should be in the Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues this season.
Rugby League fans will be treated to one of the great clashes this season when Papenhuyzen’s Melbourne Storm host Tedesco’s Sydney Roosters at AAMI Park on Friday night.
The pair have been in irrepressible form this season with both players scoring seven tries. Tedesco has a try assist, 30 tackle breaks, 5 line breaks and an average of 199 run metres from five games while Papenhuyzen has a four try assists, 21 tackle breaks, six line breaks and an average of 230 run meters from four games.
“It’s probably a little bit disrespectful some of the stuff that is being said about him this week,” Papenhuyzen said. “He’s been at the top of his game for a long time and I’ve only been here for a couple of years.
“He’s definitely earned the title as the best fullback and it’s always good to go up against the best fullbacks and this week is no different, it’s just another challenge.
“He got Man of the Series a couple of years ago and was probably one of their best last year as well. I think as long as he keeps playing good footy he deserves it and that should be no different.”
Lewis told Behind Blue Eyes for nswrl.com.au that Tedesco was still the No.1 fullback in the game but Papenhuyzen was getting better and better with every season.
“It’s so hard to compare these two guys,” Lewis said. “I still believe Tedesco is the best fullback but I think Papenhuyzen is really finding his way there.
“The thing I love about Papenhuyzen is the amount of field and yardage that he covers with the ball in hand, he’s everywhere. His ground coverage is unbelievable. The person I’ve seen do that the best is Billy Slater, so you can tell he’s learned a lot off Billy Slater.
“Freddy has done a great job for NSW, I don’t know how it’s going to work but if I was picking the team I’d have to find a spot somewhere on the field for him.
“He’s electrifying, he can score tries, he’s got speed, he can save tries, his anticipation of the game is amazing, so I think he’ll have to find a spot for him somewhere.”